China Africa Sunlight Energy Africa signs Zimbabwe power deal

Tuesday, 30 September 2014 08:24

Once technical issues have been resolved between China Africa and ZETDC, an official figure will be decided. (Image source: DonMcCullough/Flickr) China Africa Sunlight Energy Africa and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) have signed a provisional power purchasing agreement for electricity in Zimbabwe

Local reports have stated that the electricity would be generated from power projects in Gwayi.

Gloria Magombo, chief executive of Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, said, “We cannot say for how much China Africa will sell its power to ZETDC, but we have agreed on a provisional figure."

ZETDC is currently selling its power at US$0.97 per kWh. However, official figure has not been decided upon as some technical issues need to be discussed with China Africa Sunlight Energy Africa, added Magombo.

The construction of the Gwayi coal mine and US$100mn residential complex has been postponed to mid-October 2014, stated officials from China Africa Sunlight Energy Africa. These projects are part of energy projects estimated to cost US$2bn.

As part of the first phase, the company is likely to construct a 300MW power station at Gwayi. The second phase of the project will focus on methane gas extraction and the construction of a second 300MW power plant by 2017.